Thanks Mark, But Still No HOF For You

Mark McGwire came clean about ten years of steroid use today. This was a good thing to do for him and for MLB. However, it does not change the fact that his use of the substances was both illegal and wrong and that he should be precluded from entering the baseball Hall of Fame. He can explain it any way he likes by saying he did not think much of it at the time or that he was a walking MASH unit and needed them to heal. No matter what, it does not do me any good. He new it was wrong.

McGwire's admission today would have tainted his magnificent 1998 season in which he hit 70 home runs if his dreadful appearence in front of Congress in 2005 had not already done it in the first place. I know he claims that he wanted to come clean during that hearing but he did not. He lacked the courage and honor to do so.

The only reason he is coming clean now is because he has taken a position as batting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals and did not want to drag this stuff around. He probably also wanted to improve his chances of getting in the baseball Hall of Fame. Based on his stats he would have gotten in sans the steroid issue. However, the Hall voters have clearly penalized him. He is hoping that his admission will change the equation and improve his odds. I doubt it.

I was in middle school when McGwire started with the Oakland A's. I was a big fan. I cheered for him through his years with the Cardinals. I supported him in his home run chase in the big 1998 season. I appreciate that he came clean about his ten year's of steroid use. However in my opinion, he has not earned the right to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.